EBCF - PANDEMIC/EPIDEMIC/COMMUNICABLE DISEASES/ EMERGENCIES

The Board recognizes that a pandemic/epidemic is a serious threat that stands to affect students, staff, and the community as a whole.  The Board establishes this policy in the event the town/ municipality and/or school district is affected by a pandemic or epidemic.  At all times the health, safety and welfare of the students shall be the first priority.  The District shall follow the advice and recommendations in the State of New Hampshire's Influenza Pandemic Public Health Preparedness & Response Plan, as prepared by the Dept. of Health & Human Services.

Planning and Coordination

Planning for a pandemic requires a multi-faceted effort, and school preparedness should include input from a team of individuals to address their specific areas of expertise.

The Superintendent shall designate one or more employees to serve as a liaison between the school district and local and State health officials. This designee is responsible for communicating with health officials to identify local hazards, determine what crisis plans exist in the school district and community, and to establish procedures to account for student well being and safety during such a crisis.  The designee shall work with local health officials to coordinate their pandemic/epidemic plans with that of the school district. The Board encourages the designee to become a member of the Health Alert Network through the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services.

The principal and/or school nurse or other designee shall develop a curriculum component to health classes that is designed to teach students about preventing or limiting the spread of communicable diseases.

With fiscal concerns in mind, the district may purchase and store supplies necessary for an epidemic/pandemic response, including but not limited to disinfectant products, face masks, water, examination gloves, and other supplies as recommended by the school nurse.

The Superintendent shall develop procedures and plans for the transportation of students in the event students are released from school early.

Response

In the event anyone within the school is discovered or suspected to have a communicable disease that may result in transmission to other students, faculty, or staff, that person shall be immediately isolated pending further medical examination.  The New Hampshire Communicable Disease Control Section of the Department of Health and Human Services shall be notified immediately.

Infection Control

In an effort to protect the health, safety, and welfare of students, any student or staff member or person entering the building who is found to be infected with a communicable disease that bears risk of transmission, will be excluded from school. Once an individual's primary care physician or other medical personnel indicate that the individual is no longer at risk of transmitting the communicable disease and is provided medical clearance, he/she will be allowed to return to the school.

Students with excessive absences due to a communicable disease may be given a reprieve from other Board policies relative to excessive student absences. Efforts will be made by the staff to determine what, if any, schoolwork the student can complete while absent.

Staff members who are forced to miss excessive days of work shall first use any leave entitled to them through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and/or accrued sick leave.  If a staff member has still not received medical clearance to resume his/her work duties, absences in excess of a staff member's allotted leave will not affect the employees right to continued employment.

Continuance of Education

The Superintendent will develop a plan of alternate means of educating students in the event of prolonged school closings and/or extended absences.  Such a plan may include providing students with assignments via mail, online learning, or the School District's website.

The Superintendent is authorized to amend the traditional class schedule and schedule of days.  Such a plan may include extending the school day, having school days held on Saturdays, the use of previously scheduled vacation days, and/or extend the school year beyond the previously established end of school year.

Legal References:

Influenza Pandemic Public Health Preparedness & Response Plan, New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services, Updated March 2, 2006,
www.dhhs.nh.gov/DHHS/CDCS/LIBRARY/Policy-Guideline/dphs-influenza-plan.htm

First Reading:  February 10, 2011
Approved:  March 10, 2011